Page 6 of Transatlantic Terror Cruise

Before I can answer, a sharp gasp punctuates the air as a saucy blonde bounces into our midst.

It’s my other on-ship bestie, Elodie Abernathy.

Elodie is about my age—midlife and loving it—and she originally hails from South Africa with the cute accent to prove it. She’s as thin as a rail and ironically a self-proclaimed maneater. She also happens to manage all of the shops here in the Queen’s Mall.

“Mother Earth,” she practically gags as she inspects my clothes. And why is gagging upon inspection of me suddenly a running theme?

Elodie sniffs. “I guess we know the answer to Tinsley’s question. Clearly, Ransom kicked you out for your flagrant fashion offense. Leave it to you to send your newly minted nuptials to heck in aschlubbyhandbasket.”

“I am not schlubby,” I say, glancing down at my less than stellar, ratherschlubbyattire. Okay, so the sweats were a questionable move. But I gasp in mock offense nonetheless. “Elodie, and here I thought we were friends.”

“Oh, we’re the best of friends,” she muses as she taps something into her phone. “That’s exactly why I’ll be replacing your wardrobe with something a little more appropriate for a woman on her honeymoon.”

“Elodie.” I wrinkle my nose at her. “You’ve already stocked my cabin with enough naughty nighties to outfit the Moulin Rouge.”

“The Moulin Rouge?” Nettie rubs her hands together. “Now we’re getting to the good part. Tell us, Trix, what’s Handsome Ransom like beneath the sheets? Is he a rocker or a roller?”

“My money is on both,” Bess says under her breath.

All three of them lean in at once, but that only makes me press my lips tight in response. I’m not one to kiss and tell. Or do a myriad of other sexual shenanigans and spill a single word.

“Iknewit,” Tinsley hisses. “He didn’t touch you! I bet he’s off to get an annulment, right as we speak.”

“He didtootouch me,” I hiss right back, and the three of them lean in even closer. “But that’s as much as I’m willing to divulge. Ransom had some emergency he had to deal with. I just thought I’d pop out and see how the beginning of the cruise is going. The first full day is always one of my favorites.”

A large crowd of rather dapper looking men and women in pantsuits walk by with purpose and they manage to draw the attention of the other passengers—us included.

“Looks as if there’s a conference of some sort on board,” I say. “Let me guess. A dental convention?”

“Guess again.” Bess shakes her head, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a twinkle in her eyes as if she’s in the know. “Here’s a hint, I have a feeling you’re going to want to join in on the fun.”

“Then it’s for sure not a dental convention,” I’m quick to tell her.

“You better believe your bridal britches,” Nettie says. “If those people are interested in teeth, it’s purely for identification purposes. And speaking in on joining the fun, Bess and I were on our way to do just that. If you have a second, you should join us.”

“You’re not keeping me away,” Tinsley says, craning her neck as the crowd flows toward one of the lounges in the back. “I’ve been counting down the days for this trip.”

“I’m going as well,” Elodie says, running her fingers through her blonde locks. “There are some real lookers on board, and the Queen’s Mall isn’t open for duty-free shopping just yet. I’ve got some time to kill.” She winks as she links her arm with mine. “And trust me when I say, we’re going to have a murderously good time.”

A shiver runs up my spine as she says it while Bess and Nettie lead the way.

I glance back at the casino, and for a brief second a redhead blinks into view just shy of one of the slot machines.

I pause for a moment because she looks startlingly familiar and a breath hitches in my throat as it comes back to me.

It’s the lady in the window! The so-called mermaid who was outright spying on Ransom and me for far too long earlier this afternoon.

I’m about to redirect Elodie and head in the direction of the casino and give that peeping Tom a piece of my mind when the redhead up and disappears—seemingly into thin air.

A crowd pushes through and now I can’t find her anywhere.

“Oh wow,” I mutter, still staring in that direction.

“What’s the matter?” Elodie asks as she pulls me along to catch up with the rest of our group. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

I suck in quick breath.

I had better not have seen a ghost.

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